<<<it's doubtful that HR would have any role in getting you the interview and they would have nothing to do with whether or not you are hired.>>> from what i know on this topic, HR often play a part in vetting the CVs. they may interview you, too, but in addition to and not instead of traders interviewing you. HR will "get to know you as a person" (i.e. check you aren't a sociopath) and the traders will make sure you know your gamma from your pyjamas. but it will be the business (i.e. the desk) that makes the final decision. with just about any job, personality, comfort and fit are going to be important, and indeed may be the ultimate arbiter of whether or not you get the job. after all, there are plenty of people who are smart enough.

In terms of getting a job in quant fin., is it fair to say that the number of applicants per job is no better or worse at the top Wall Street firms than that of say MBA's for analogous positions or isthe quant sector unique within the current economic climate for some reason? I mean is one betteroff seeking an MBA qualification in finance for the purposes of employment, leaving aside the obvious issues of school etc ... and all things being equal? If things are just difficult now because of the current economic conditions e.g. worst time for investment bankssince the 1970's, it would seem that things should turn around and it is just a matter of waiting it out. However, if this is a general trend that looks to persist in the face of an economic up turn it would seem that people like me are just wasting our time even considering the field and should go get MBA's in operations or something.

Seems to me like a very, very strange question! Go for a job/career your interested into. I mean a quantjob and education cant be compared to MS Economics in any way. Seems to me you only considers the money? And that wont mean you get one of the best in what ya doing... and the employers arnt stupid either...

adog, there are some numbers re: 'applicants for positions' on another thread. at a guess, quant finance is as competitive as other areas, such as corporate finance.an mba will give you a very different set of opportunities than a phd!

"Now we need to help ourselves to get a job in this market. Everyday night and morning, I am searching the internet for jobs !!!!""I don't let go any single chance. Although it has been very disappointing, I hope my spirit will land me a dream job (hopefullybefore all my money is spent and beg on the street)""Painful as it was when I look for internship ...""I was already thinking of my new house, new BMW, a lot of money and an intersting job,etc...But when I read your messages, I'm affraid for my future!""What a sad world!"You guys dont need jobs, you need to get a life!

I am greedy, I need both ....I think I have to stop complaining about jobs search. Otherwise the threads will be locked sooner or later.But honestly, if you know how to break into exotic trading let me know. I am interested in both equity and credit exotic as it seems to me you can use the quant stuffs to make money with some very bizzare payoff contracts.Best,Jobseeker

You guys dont need jobs, you need to get a life! >>Let's try and be constructive here, if you don't want to hear people complain, don't go to a thread that starts with the word support group.Seems to me like a very, very strange question! Go for a job/career your interested into. >>That's a good point goshawk. In interviews people are going to ask you why you think you want to be in that position, whether it's for a job as a structurer, trader, quant, whatever. If the only answers you have for why you want the position is a) to make a lot of money or b) because you thought it was the path of least resistance then you probably aren't going to be considered for it. Also keep in mind that in finance while the upside is huge you do have to put a significant amount of effort into obtaining it and while I don't have any hard and fast data on compensation numbers I can tell you that you have to hump through 2 or 3 years before you start getting the big paycheck (not that 80,000) is chump change, but you don't get rich right away, and if you don't enjoy what you're doing it's hard to stick around. If you really like numbers and modeling and that is what you want to do, then get the Masters in Financial engineering. If you're a little undecided get the MBA, it expands your career selection set 100 fold, just in case you realize you don't love finance as much as you thought you did. Also as shallow and cliched as it might sound, the MBA is not important only for what you learn but who you meet. I haven't gone to graduate school yet but everyone I know that has an MBA says that a large portion of the benefit from going to a top flight B-School is the people that you meet. I'm not so sure that you get these great connections in a strictly Financial Engineering program.

HI,Its time for most of the prospective Finance engineers to join the different programs.SInce it seems the members in this thread are from different background and schools...It will be of great help if the seniors can describe about the career services offered by their respective universities and what do they think is most important to land up with job.....Your views will give us more clear picture of the schools.Hope to hear your views.Thanks

eventually everybody gets a job ! I am jobless for 1.5 yrs before getting a jr. quant job !!!Just be patient and make good use of the time.Good luck to everybody !

For god sake man, can't believe you don't have a postion still???You've been on here moaning from when I first looked at the posts in 2002 - Masters from Berkley and problems with living in the states or something - landord was going to kick you out!!

yeah, what have u been doing all day?

I am sorry...what is the point of this thread?

QuoteOriginally posted by: NoDoubtsI am sorry...what is the point of this thread?I think some sort of mentoring system from people who has graduated from the MSFE program and have gotten desirable jobs...anyway aren't there alumni events in most of the schools for that purpose?

Hi,Can you guys give some tips for a fresh international student with MS Quant Finance from decent school in USA(not in NYC) regarding finding a job.....1)Is it possible to find a job even if you are not located in NYC2)do students from decent schools(like UMICH, GAtech,Rutgers...) get jobs or the finance jobs are for just IVY league studnets...

Quote2)do students from decent schools(like UMICH, GAtech,Rutgers...) get jobs or the finance jobs are for just IVY league studnets...Can someone also kindly comment on Stanford, a non-Ivy school?